On time

I suck at being on time. My blog is also another thing that I'm never on time with. I don't have deadlines obviously but, I would like this to be  regular thing. I'm working on it.

I've been working more not that that's an excuse. I work part time. I also have never really had to work so it's been hard on me mentally if that even makes sense. I struggle with social anxiety so it's been a huge help. I'm getting used to it. (talking to people that is all over again. I got used to not doing it. hopefully someone can relate) Especially since moving back home. I talk to no one. I don't have a phone number so other than social media where I lurk on people. I don't have much interaction with anyone but my family.

I also am late on that too.I've been dreading talking to old friends because it's been two years and I still haven't let some used to be close friends that I've moved back. I feel guilty about it that's why it's been two years. It was month then six and now more than a year. So, I've made the awkwardness so much worse. Plus I have a child now so theres that. I feel even more guilty.

Moving on. I did another consignment. I love them. I love my LO in adorbs clothes. I live for it. Even though my mother says he looks homeless most of the time I take him out. To be honest I dress him by whim and he wears his super cute clothes mostly at home in case he makes a mess so I spot treat it right away. I did buy him more casual super cute clothes to wear out and about. Because I've been working I can afford it. Before I prioritized more dressy special occasion. I found so much the first time shopping the consignment.
 I found even more great deals the second time on 50% off day. My hopes were low didn't think I'd find much but I did because I forgot to check the 2t holiday items (they're on separate rack). I only had an hour to shop because I worked that morning so the second time around I got to look around. I found this faux black bear pelt rug. It was $10. I've been looking for one. It was honestly fate.
So, do consign at one local to you and shop.
Also, thrift shop too. Because I found amazing pieces two days go. I spent less than $20 and found some real gems. Will hopefully update with photos. It's been 18 mo and I'm still working on making my room/our room (my LO) more his room into somewhere he can really enjoy. He prefers being all over the house. But, I'd like him to play in our room more.

Best,

Stress and the way I handle it

   Since, working I find my patience so much thinner when coming home. The house isn't clean :/
I'm immediately irritated.
   So, I breathe and exhale and think about my son smiling and I calm down a bit.
I list things in my head and think of what needs to be done. I always try to get things done even if a little when my baby is sleeping. Especially cleaning And I know getting things done can feels like a burden. Maybe I'm just really lazy or have been spoiled. I think it may be both or maybe you do have a lot going on. It's okay not everyone can handles things the same. Don't ever feel like you are less because you snapped about something.
   It's fine. I live by letting things go. It does me know good to think about how I overspent, how I yelled at my son. When I know he doesn't grasp language yet. It is good to think about it once and recognize where you went wrong but not okay to over analyze it. I used to. I'm sure you've done it. We've all done it. Recognize what went wrong and try not to do it. I wish we all could stop our bad habits cold turkey.
  All it takes is recognizing what went wrong and stopping yourself one time after another. At the end of the day you are better than before. Additionally if someone is causing you stress depending on the situation. Like my mother bless her heart I love her. Yet, she berates me with comments about what I need to be doing with my son. What I'm doing wrong. It just goes right over my head. I have become used to it some days it hurts. It really feels like I'm terrible. Yet, it's easy to criticize. I remind myself that my job is not to please her.
   Some people are just nitpicky. Ignore them. Hello! You have different things going on. You handle things differently your stresses are different. Just because someone yelled at you, said something negative, or maybe looked at you weird. For example someone staring at you because your child is crying. One day they will most likely be you. I don't know why people think babies can control their emotions. My son had a fit the other day because he wanted to walk and not be held or in the buggy. I don't ever let him out the buggy or my arms because he grabs stuff, lays down, and puts anything in his mouth. He especially loves to yank clothes off the hangers. Ignore them. Do they honestly expect to go to the store and not run into a child? They can't even stop themselves from staring(which is rude) how do they expect little kid to hold back tears or their anger? -_-
   Get over it. Whatever it is get over it. It's not effecting you at this moment so it's not important.     Think of any happy moment that relaxes you. I think of that newborn smell and my sons laugh and his smile. It calms me so much I tear up a little because I am overjoyed and relaxed all at once. Honest to god. I really do. My eyes well up just a tad.
     Anyway I just wanted to write about how unimportant some things are even if you feel pressured or stressed. Love yourself and others. Especially kind people who you see do nice things. This lady offered me half a dozen donuts once at walmart in the check out line. She apparently did not plan on finishing a dozen. Some people might think that's weird but it's nice she wanted to share her donuts. Also, one time my mom sent me in to buy a poster board and project supplies I was off by $2-3 dollars and this guy who looked to be in his early 20s paid for the whole thing. Those nice people make me full of good vibes. Notice those good things. Even seeing hearing of good things I get pumped.
God bless and have a wonderful night y'all.

unoccupied.

    I am finally working. I make food at a fast food place. I call it fast food just because they have a drive thru. I'm happy I can finally help my household and spend extra on my little love's clothing. I oughta just not but I can't help it. But, I'm going to make a budget and excel sheet or something. I need to track my spending and figure out how much I need to be saving to move to PNW.
   Tomorrow is yard sale day. I'm excited because it's neighborhood yardsale so it's not a whole bunch of riding in the car. Will update on what I find. I was thinking of doing a posts about what I find while thrifting or yard sale shopping. I find it very exciting when I find a bargain.  I get a thrill. I'm sure there are other people that can relate.
   Which reminds me of a snippet I read that said bargain shoppers aren't customers. Which I agree with completely. Even if I love something and I have to pay full price I won't. I rather wait till I find something I love with a price I love too. A couple weeks ago I was at a consignment and there was this Southern Tots Jon Jon with a stain. I bought it because it was $3 and I was willing to put effort into getting the stain out. I soaked it twice in detergent and washed it twice. Stain did not come out. I finally put oxy clean on it but that didn't work. And two days ago I put dawn and peroxide on it and the stain is gone.
    Thrift stores take time and patience. Sometimes they have bins and you have to look through every piece. Or even if they're hung up they're not in size order or not separated by gender. Which is fine with me because I tend to buy knit girl legging for my son and look for those unisexual pieces. Love knit legging; I like to put them under his pants if it's cold and we're gonna be outside for a bit. Knits paired with a jon jon or romper probably wouldn't look bad either. So, he can wear his rompers a few more wears.

Additionally, I've been worried about moving and Emile. He hasn't been saying a whole lot and I feel like I'm to blame.  hmmmmmm. I get so stressed when I think of what I'll be doing in the next few years.

Best. to anyone who is reading.

Finally finished volunteering last Saturday.

  Volunteering was nice almost great but just nice (I didn't like the lady that owns it. You ever meet someone and they just don't rub you the right way. Also felt like she was a bit rude. I messed up and I didn't like how she just expected me to know what I was doing. She does realize I'm a volunteer not an employee. She hasn't trained me.) The ladies that volunteer were very nice though. It was a bit weird as I began to notice that most all knew each other. I think me and like one other lady were the newest people to volunteer everyone else was a seasoned volunteer. I saw a lot of familiar faces when it came to shopping. I'm probably not the only one that goes to every consignment sale. But, I am surprised that there aren't ladies who volunteer at multiple sales. Even more surprised to learn that there are ladies aren't aware of other sales in the area.

  I remember talking to this lady and she was telling me how she only heard about the sale and volunteering through church and wasn't aware there were 2 others nearby and another two in nearby towns. Then again, I just found about consignment sales last year. 

  Any who, this weekend is my son's birthday party I'm very excited and have begun to prepare. I'll be making a rainbow balloon arch and these streamer leaves for decor. Tomorrow I'm starting on the streamers. I think that will take the longest. The House That Lars Built has a whole diy thing on it here. I think it's just a great idea since initially I was just gonna go outside and collect some leaves and tie or sew them together to make pretty decor for in the house and possibly outside. But streamers are so much better since my sister is having her sons party dinosaur themed; we can reuse them.

    Do, you see the chandelier? They also have a  how to on that except you do need an actual chandelier for the base. I've been searching for a cheap one whenever we go to the thrift store. I told myself unless you come upon one don't get one. I'm not about to buy one just for his birthday but I was thinking maybe I don't need one for the base but can just get something like foil shape it like a chandelier. I'm not sure if I'll do it. But, I'm seriously considering it. 

   I am going to go across the street to collect some purple flower no idea what they are I think they may be Chinese wisteria there are white ones too. I'd like to do it early early in the morning since it's a busy little hwy. (update I never did this because this night and the following few days became rather chilly and killed all the flora. I never realized how quickly the cold could wilt flowers. I completely understand why my mom brings her plants inside and freaks out when the weather does a 360.)

   I bought these woodland table covers completely forgetting how I wanted to make a moss table runner. Now, I think we should return them. We won't use them maybe during thanksgiving they look kinda fall themed and it would be just good to cover the work table since it gets so messy during thanksgiving. I don't know why but I just don't like returning stuff. 

  I'd also like to add that my balloon arch is inspired by this ad I saw on instagram but The House that Lars Built gave me the idea of using chicken wire to keep the balloons all together (here) and some other blog gave me the idea of PVC pipe for the form (here Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss).  I spent $12 on chicken wire, $7 on pvc pipe(1/3 in. pipe may need to exchange these for 1/2inch) and 2 tees because I couldn't find a coupler and the balloons were $15. Eh, it was $34. I think that's a lot I may end up returning the PVC pipe if it doesn't work and tie the arch to trees or something. I think it's the most I've spent on just one specific thing. I keep telling myself though it's his first birthday and it's like a centerpiece. 

 Will keep this updated or I'll forget all about these special moments. I'm pretty bad about photos sometimes and I think it's best to have a blog and instagram just to remind myself take photos. Is anyone else like this? I just get too caught up in the moment. It's not even as if I'm particularly busy.

UPDATE: I can't believe I thought I could decorate two days before his party. Then I slept in and never really completed any of my decorations. Now, I know. I was thinking of doing a half birthday to make up for my mess I called his first birthday. My cake even turned out funny. It didn't taste bad though. So, that's a win. 

Been Busy with Consignment Sales

   I did my first consignment sale called Mom's Marketplace located at the Prattville Pickers this past fall. I told myself I'd participate in as many as possible next time around. It is now March and I've been to two and have participated in one called Children's Clothing Exchange. This went well I wish I had more money to spend. I don't work so my fault. I sold some of my babies things (crib and bedding) a couple weeks ago so I could buy him some new clothes (will add photos) altogether I came up with $60 to spend. I volunteered 16 hr to shop the earliest plus shopping discount day early too.  The clothing I brought in was about $176. I didn't sell everything I sold about $105 (I think). My check was for $67.50. At this sale and the one I am volunteering at right now consignors receive 65% of selling price which is alright.
   The main incentive for me is that if you volunteer you will get to shop early. I do the maximum amount of 16 hours; one place has 20hr maximum. At CCE there was no one even shopping the same size as me till the 14hr people arrived an hour later. This was great I shop his current size and his next size. I have found great things including a $3.50 applique jon jon and $5 dollar smocked jon jon on 50%off day. While shopping I noticed a lady had brought about 8 smocked short sets all priced for $10 (you can tell it's from the same person because of the consignor# on the tag). Biggest regret was not buying at least three of these. I told myself, "NO." I go to yard sales often even more so thrift stores and I'm always buying him clothes so spending more than $5 bothers me. I had a lot of non-buyers remorse. I regretted not buying some $7-10 dollar smocked outfits and dressy clothes. I realized the best thing to buy at these sales was smocked and dressy clothes. I very rarely find these items at yard sales and thrift stores.  
    At this sale I was looking for an activity table or something along those lines. I found an activity Parents cube retails around $50 got it for $10 along with some clothes and a swim suit. This particular consignment also has $5 dollar charity bag for everything that remains. I went to this event for my sister looking for cleats. I bought a cow cushion seat; I never saw this around the store while volunteering no idea why? Maybe someone brought it after the sale started. I love that CCE allows this. So, in case you didn't finish tagging everything you can still finish and bring it in. Additionally, I had my eye on these jumbo plush stackers from Pottery Barn it was priced for $50 no discount but to my surprise it was still there.  I also got a mounted hook rack and some brand new place mats. And a whole bag of clothes (for my mother). The sale sells juniors as well. It doesn't sell well. A lot people bring women clothes I saw some Chicos pants. Most of it is quality brands from dept. stores. I bought my mom a whole bunch of tops. We arrived 5 minutes late and by the time we came in all the baby clothes was gone and I was able to squeeze between some racks and find a bunch of tops that fit my mom. It was black Friday busy people just grabbed clothes and threw it into their carts if they had one. It was very overwhelming.
   So, today I got to shop early for Kids Carousel. I had a new mentality and was more prepared. I would not be overwhelmed with options. I walked in and they had food prepared and asked me to sit. I thought that was a nice touch until it became 5:00 and made me wait till the other volunteers arrived. Does that even make sense? I was in a rush because my mother was waiting in the car. Finally at 5:07 when mostly everyone arrived late they let us begin shopping. I quickly went to check the clothes out looking for smocked outfits to realize they had two but were more casual and older. You can tell by the style. I looked for the smocked rack to realize it was right in front of me mostly empty. I regretted signing up to volunteer. But, I did find a cozy coupe with a trailer and a radio flyer bumper car. I paid $49 w/ tax.  I would have asked to just not buy anything give back my tickets to shop early passes and guest passes but when you volunteer you agree to not back out. This particular sale takes an additional 25% if you back out and don't find a replacement. This could be a big chunk since I brought in $500 dollars worth of stuff. I'm hoping to get at least $80 I decided to not discount anything and will be picking up my things at the end of sale and doing Mom's Marketplace.
   My best advice to anyone trying out consignment sales who plans to volunteer is: to have been to the sale before or know someone who has (I have never been to Kids Carousel my mistake). When shopping know what you're looking for. If you're interested in something but it's too pricey check if it will be on sale during 50% sale day then come back for it (some ladies hide stuff by mixing it in with the wrong size). If you're consigning here are some tips because I'm doing multiple sales and have learned from my previous sale to maybe drop a dollar or 50 cents off of my clothes so it sells. I had some items that didn't sell which made no sense to me since they're in really good shape adjust prices.
Also, if you do know the normal price range mark your clothes .50 less so someone picks your pants over the other pair. You will make more if you sell more. About 95% of my items weren't discounted there were a couple that I didn't care for that I marked for discount day. But, at the last sale I am participating in for Spring I'm going to allow it to be discounted and donated if it doesn't sell. I also ironed and steamed some clothes so it looks nicer (got my steamer at the $5 dollar bag sale with my mom's tops). You could keep some pieces like jeans. Blue jeans are allowed at every sale and I had a lot for Fall and I should of kept them to sell for Spring but I let them be donated because I didn't want to store it all. It's your choice.

Will add photos soon. I'm so proud when I find deals. I'm sure some can relate. Let me know if anyone has any tips as well.

Coding

I've been looking into coding. I find it pretty hard to customize my blog so I was thinking of learning so I can make my own template.  I'd rather do that than pay for one. I also would like to learn to teach my little one. He's one tomorrow or today actually since its  2am. But, I'm excited to teach him as soon as he's able. He can say my name, abuela (which I just heard him say yesterday the 26th), my sister's names and off. He parrots people occasionally. He's known how to walk since 9 months and has been crawling since the 17th of July. and got his first teeth(bottom ones) on the 14th they finally poked out. Funny, how I can remember that but I can't remember when he learned to walk. His first real word and phrase was "bad baby". I jokingly said bad baby to my niece and popped her leg and he copied me. This was at 9 months I think maybe 8.

Any way, the point of the post was to say that I do plan on fixing up my blog so it's more pleasing to look at. I care about aesthetics.
Also, I'm currently planning his party because unfortunately it can't be today because everyone works and it's a school day. It is going to be on the 5th I may push it back another week or two. I don't want to. I'm still considering though. What to do what to do? I'd like it to be really nice.

I'd like to mention that sometimes I will switch the subject then go back to talking about the previous subject and do this back and forth. Sorry, if this bothers anyone or is confusing. I actually will omit a word or phrase even when proofreading I'll miss the mistake. My mind just fills the blank until I read it again with a fresh pair of eyes and realize my mistake. Just go with it.

a year ago

It's been a year and a month since moving back home. I still feel sad for leaving my friends. It's odd to think I've moved back and I was thinking I'd see my friends who lived in my home state but as being a new mother. I haven't prioritized it at all. At first I ran into a few old friends around town and we talked about hanging out but it's been months and nothing. It may have to do with the fact that I don't have a phone and not driving but I tried once and it didn't pan out. I've always been a homebody and slightly anti-social but lately I've been missing my friends.  I figured I would be overjoyed to spend time with old best friends since we kept in touch over the 3 years I was living in Oregon but nah. I haven't spoken to any of them but for a handful of times since being back. I actually haven't spoken to one friend at all even though I'd still consider her best friend. Sometimes, I suck about that I'm sure a few people could relate. I'm a going to be a lot more proactive about. In honesty I miss my friends I made from college I've spoken to them a lot more. Not enough I think but I find myself thinking that they don't want to talk to me cause well I'm a mother now while they still go to college parties and I'm basically a stay at home mom. I can't begin to thank my mother and sisters for supporting me.

Will be going now as my room is a mess and my son walking and grabbing clothes and throwing it everywhere doesn't help.